Saturday, April 30, 2005

Yay! My friend Jodi has joined the blogger community

I met Jodi on Babycentre when I was just pregnant with Oscar and we've been firm friends ever since. She has 2 amazing boys, a wicked sense of humour and is a total babe. I love her to bits and hope to see her soon. In the meantime- she's new so please go give her blog a look too!
Me Me Me - I love the title...don't you!

I'm plugging everyone today!

A fantabulous blog written by an angel

It's All Just Smoke and Mirrors

I know I've mentioned Dixie before - but she's such a sweetheart - not only is she lovely to me, she's bigging up my sister's blog too! So I have to return the favour and plug her again. Go read - she's an amazing woman with a truly unique life - and one of the biggest hearts on the planet.

Friday, April 29, 2005

Confessions of a BAD housewife

Technically I'm a full time Mummy. I have done an acting job in the last month. And I am working part time for the University of London but it's only a few hours a week....I worked 30 hours this month.

And....I have a cleaner. When I worked full time I always wanted one but DH never felt comfortable with the idea. Now I am technically a home-maker, I pay a wonderful woman £25 a week to do it for me. And she's AMAZING. She does the whole house in 3 hours. And today she even changed my sheets and made my bed. It's like living in a hotel.

I love it. I left the house at 9.30 this morning - got back at 1.30 to a different home. Sparkling, shiny and smelling fresh. Of course I have to tidy up before she comes and the house is tidy now more than untidy so it is training me...but I don't have to vaccuum, or dust or polish. Or mop the kitchen floor. I tend to whiz around after Oscar with my hand held dustbuster mini vaccuum thing. Cos he tends to leave crumbs. And I wipe the floor around his highchair as he's a creative eater.

But the rest, I leave until Friday - the best day of the week!

So my advice to anyone who can afford it (and people like me who can't but who would rather eat beans on toast than mop floors) get a cleaner! I love love love mine. She's amazing. This post is dedicated to her!

My sister has turned into my Grandmother....

Kirsti Knits

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Week got better

Sorry I haven't updated! I'm in a much better mood. The week got better - Tuesday we had swimming and Monkey Music which is a singing and playing session. Wednesday I met up with a friend from an online baby bulletin board and she and her daughter were wonderful. I love it when you click online and in the flesh too - as most of you reading this are my ya yas you know what I'm talking about.

Today was our second singing and signing class and Oscar was a bit tired and grumpy. We learnt the sign for NO and for duck, doctor, biscuit, cow, horse and sheep. All great fun. He's downstairs now watching Baby Einstein.

I'm off out with the mums tonight - we're all getting cabs so we can get a bit drunk! Hoorah! AND I found a Krispy Kreme doughnut stall today in Victoria Station. I had an audition - oh yeah, forgot to mention that - so while Mum babysat, I went off and did the casting then found the doughnuts. I bought one for Rob and I still haven't eaten it - he's home from work in an hour...wonder if I'll last that long.

Ok better go check on the funky ginger monkey that is my boy. Will type more tomorrow....

Monday, April 25, 2005

Shit day

Says it all really....details?

I usually do aqua aerobics on a Monday and I love it. This week I cancelled it because 2 mums from my GP group wanted to go swimming for the first time with their babies and the baby swim lessons were at teh same time. I was really looking forward to it - then we had planned lunch and a nice afternoon. This morning, an hour before we were due to meet, they cancelled on me.

So I had nothing to do all day and I HATE that. I have to do something - can't stay in all day or I go crazy. So at lunchtime I decide to pop out with Oscar in the car to pick up something for lunch. I got a parking ticket. £50 worth of parking ticket for being in a shop for 5 minutes. It was on a red route but in one of those dashed line parking spaces which are usually good for 20 minutes. I was in the shop for 5. But it turns out it was loading only so I was in the wrong but I think the fucking traffic warden was hiding behind a lampost to have made out the ticket so quickly.

So very expensive lunch then - £2.40 + £50.

So I came home and stayed in all afternoon with a baby who has discovered shouting is great fun.

I have a splitting headache, an overdraft, have had to cancel plans for my anniversary next week because I spent the money on the fucking parking ticket.

And I am grumpy as all hell. Sorry to vent but there you go.

Friday, April 22, 2005

Confessions of a BAD mother

We had a lovely day today - spent the whole day back at Crystal Palace Park with my NCT group. But I was a bad bad mummy.

First off Oscar was playing on a big table at the cafe where we met - the floor was covered in pigeon poop so I had him on the table. I turned around to ask my friend Miranda to get me some tea and of course...he went head first off the table. It was one of those picnic tables with benches attached so he landed on the bench - on my cup of tea which I'd put there to keep it out of his reach. Now luckily it was nearly empty, cold and in a polystyrene cup which actually cushioned his fall....I kept having flashes of what could have happened if the tea was hot and in a glass (which would be very impractical).

He was fine. Not even a bump on his head - he was shocked more than anything....

Then....I got the cafe to warm up his food and they over nuked it in their microwave. I waited until it had cooled (I thought) but the second mouthful he took obviously had a hot spot in it (which is why they tell you not to microwave baby food or bottles) and he spat it out and cried.

FINALLY. I got home - we're both exhausted - must have walked about 3 miles today up and down hills in the park - and I think he's pink with excitement. But no...DH comes home and points out that we both have rather red faces and Oscar's hands are also pink. Yes. I think I frisped my son in the sun. It wasn't that sunny - this is England for God's sake. And I had my jacket on as it wasn't warm. But we were outdoors all day and I am blonde and he is ginger and our skin is white white white. Or red red red now.

I don't think it's bad - I'll see how he is tomorrow - it really wasn't hot enough to do much damage (can you hear me justifying my bad motherhood....?)

Call social services.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

He's famous and he's crawling


Oscar in his signature outfit Posted by Hello -

It's happening. He's starting to crawl. Backwards. Bless his little cotton socks (that he keeps removing). He manages to get his bum in the air, then his hands follow once the bum has gone down so he ends up going backwards.

God help me. I've got to tidy up all the time now - he's already reaching stuff I didn't think he could. Why is it with babies that they automatically find the cable/wire/plastic bag when they are surrounded with lovely toys? They have a sixth sense for innate danger....

The outfit above was a christmas present from my sister who had it specially made - I'm such an egocentric that I always love things with my name on from books to songs - I'm training Oscar to be the same.

He's not a grouch though. Well not often. We've got a mad busy week this week - at his swimming lesson this morning though he got a huge well done from the teacher as he managed to swim on his own with a long thin macaroni float round him. He's the only one who did it and he's one of the youngest in the class. (Proud mummy brag over now).

I'm going into "work" tomorrow - the University - I've been managing at least an hour a day on the home work so it's cool - got to pick up loads of files tomorrow.

Right - I'm boring myself now. Will be back soon with some fascinating dribble about my days....

Friday, April 15, 2005

A cultural day

Me and my NCT chums met up on London's South Bank today - a lovely walk from London Bridge station past the Golden Hinde, the Globe, to Tate Modern. We met in the cafe.....

2 hours later we left the cafe having not seen any art!! We walked to Borough Market (Jamie Oliver's favourite place to shop apart from Sainsburys) - a fabulous food market with every kind of yummy fresh produce you can imagine. I managed to nearly kill someone with my buggy while queuing for grilled scallops - an old guy in front of me in the queue stepped backwards (it was really busy) and totally fell over the front of the buggy. He staggered sideways but he had scallops in his hand and went down heavy on his hip. I felt AWFUL even though I don't think it was my fault - he was quite doddery and had hearing aids in which can sometimes indicate poor balance. I helped him up, apologising profusely, and got him a seat, bought him a cup of tea and stayed with him to make sure he was ok.

HRH Oscar slept throughout the drama.....

I sheepishly ran away with my friends after making sure old geezer hadn't broken a hip....it was manic actually - really really busy market - 4 women with buggies....

We then went back to the Globe and guess what? Sat in the cafe for another hour!! So much for culture! Nice tea though - and crumpets...yum.

It was nice to be up in town for a change - we usually meet at each other's houses and chat. This way we felt like we were being cultured even though we were just sitting round drinking tea and stuff!

MUST do some work this weekend though - I've started working from home part time for the Institute of English Studies organising the ESSE conference for 2006. It's great and I'm actually enjoying using my brain again. Oscar sits in a little play area next to my desk with lots of toys - I do manage to do at least an hour a day....except when I'm out all day drinking tea with my buddies!

Ok - off to bed now. Hope you are all well and may I just say, thank you for reading. I've put a little counter on this page and it's quite lovely to see how many hits I get. Wierd too thinking of you all out there reading my drivel...but I think I know most of you and love you all to bits so it's ok.

I'm over tired. I'm going now!

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Sunday, April 10, 2005


Oscar's first ever ice cream Posted by Hello

An overview of last week - filming and all

Well as I said on Monday, I caught Oscar's cold very badly. Which stuffed up filming for me. I went down on Tuesday, feeling a bit ill - by Wednesday I was so ill I had to lie down in between takes - shivering and aching. Thursday was a very long day - was on set by 7am and didn't finish till 6. I was so disappointed. It's such fun usually filming on the Basil Brush - the crew are so lovely, the cast are always joking and laughing - I tried really hard to enjoy it but I felt too ill! I was a trouper though - gave a good performance - the director was very happy with me and everyone looked after me when I felt so lousy. The 1st assistant director spent a long time fanning me with a script! Bless him.

And I also made the stupid mistake of taking Lemsip cold and flu remedy constantly through the day - which I found out yesterday has caffeine in it - which explains why even though I was in the lovely hotel with the big double bed, why I couldn't sleep - only got about 4 hours each night - was awake coughing and blowing my nose...and my throat was so sore I couldn't eat either.

I am just complaining now.....I'll stop cos I feel better today. But the timing was shit. My first acting job in ages and I couldn't enjoy it.

It'll be on TV in October so I'll let you all know.

As I said, got back on Thursday just before Oscar went to sleep and cuddled him a lot. Had a quiet day on Friday and Saturday and today was just lovely. Sunny weather again, so DH, Oscar and I went to Crystal Palace Park. We had great fun - we used to live just near the park so it was nice to revist old haunts. Had lunch in a lovely cafe then walked walked walked. Saw the dinosaurs and Oscar had his very first taste of ice cream - pictures above.....he LOVED it. I'm sure someone will tell me you're not supposed to give babies ice cream but I don't care - it made him very happy!

Hopefully by tomorrow my cold will have gone completely. I've been really bad with Weightwatchers - haven't really been following points since Easter so I'm determined to start again tomorrow. It didn't help that when I went shopping on Friday they were selling easter eggs for 10p....marshmallow filled ones....Big ones...and I bought 3 - for DH I told myself. I ate 1 and a half.....bad bad bad but yum yum yum.

Oh and one other thing - I am probably going to the USA in October which is very exciting - to see my sister and my ya yas. Flying with Oscar....hmmmmmmmmm. He'll be 14 months old then!

Monday, April 04, 2005

A bad day

Oscar slept very badly last night. Went to sleep at 7.30 as usual. Woke up at 10. Then at 1. Then at 2, at 3, at 4, at 5am. Like a bloody alarm clock. I fed him at 5am and he slept till 7.40.

I'm exhausted. So is he. He's been a grumpy little baby all day. I tried to sleep when he did during the day but only grabbed an hour as I had so much stuff to do - I'm filming tomorrow and had to get my shit together.

Also...I have caught his cold so I feel like shit. I woke up with the biggest reddest sorest zit right on my nose so I look like Rudolph. And while my left eye is marginally better - not as swollen though still blood red, my right eye is now puffing up.

It's like the universe is dumping on me from a great height. I also think I'm premenstrual.

Today I hate my life. I was really looking forward to getting away and filming but it turns out they need me tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday afternoon and then Thursday so I only get one night in the hotel. And I have a 7am call on Thursday so I won't even get breakfast.

Sorry. This is one long whinge. But I feel like crap and might as well get it out of my system!

Hopefully I'll be more cheery once I've been an actor for a couple of days and not a stressed Mum.

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Stolen from Dix, who stole it from Zoe...

who stole it from Kara who stole it somewhere else....

LAYER ONE: The Details

Real First Name: Sally
Birth date: August 1st 1971
Birthplace: London, England
Current Location: Same place - but I've been lots of other places in between
Eye Color:Green/blue depending on my mood
Hair Color: Strawberry blonde (NOT ginger)
Righty or Lefty: Righty
Zodiac Sign: Leo

LAYER TWO: On The Inside

Your heritage: A mixture of Polish jews, catholics, and Londoners
Shoes you wore today: I haven't actually put any on yet
Your weakness: Food. Fattening food. And cigarettes though I haven't smoked for over a year
Your fears: Being alone
Your perfect pizza: Chicken, mushroom, onion, green pepper and sweetcorn

LAYER THREE: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Your most overused phrase: Sorry....
Your best physical feature: Pre-baby I would have said my boobs. Now I think my eyes
Your bedtime: Usually 10pm or earlier if I've had a rough night with Oz the night before
Your most missed memory: Anytime spent in the US with my ya yas

LAYER FOUR: Your Pick

Iced Tea or Soft Drink: Ick ice tea - I love soft drinks
Soup or Salad: soup.
Single or group dates: single - though it's been 15 years since I went on a date
Slip-ons or Lace-ups: slip ons
Fruity or Herbal: If you mean tea - neither - love the smell but hate the taste - give me PG tips anyday
Jell-O or Pudding: Pud please
Coffee or Hot Chocolate: How about a mocha?

LAYER FIVE: Do You?

Smoke: No but I miss it

Cuss: Constantly
Sing: All the time - I made up a nappy changing song today
Take a shower everyday: I have to or my hair is scary
Still talk to your first love: I married him! So yes!
Like your job: I love both being a mum and being an actor
Like(d) high school: Yes and no....
Get motion sickness: No
Think you're attractive: Not recently - not with this weeping eye....
Think you're obsessive-compulsive about anything: I don't think so, though DH would disagree
Get along with your parents: Yes, don't know what I'd do without my mother
Like thunderstorms: Yes as long as I'm indoors
Play an instrument: Used to play clarinet badly.

LAYER SIX: In the past month have you...

Spent more than $100 on a single item that wasn't an obligatory thing (bills, etc): I wish I had!
Had a verbal argument where you screamed at someone: I wish I hadn't but yes
Purchased Cottage Cheese: no
Surprised someone for a special event: Yes
Purchased a new CD: No
Gone to the mall: Yes - it's what stay at home mothers do - but we can't afford to buy anything but nappies
Purchased an MP3: No
Sent your resume out for a new job: No
Been on stage: Yes - rehearsing for Basil
Moved: Yes
Had lunch with a group of ten or more: Yes if you count babies
Had a cold: Yes - thanks to Oz
Changed your hairstyle: Yes! See previous entries
Taken a vacation: I wish!

LAYER SEVEN: Ever...

Played a game that required removal of clothing: Oh yes
Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Not really - I don't drink much - I've been really drunk once but never extremely.
Been caught in a lie: yes
Been called a tease: no
Caused a car wreck: Not caused one but been in one
Shoplifted: Yes

LAYER EIGHT: Getting Older

Age where you believe your life really began (if not yet, give a guess): 19 when I met DH

Do you have children, if so, how many and what are their ages: Yes - I keep going on about him - Oscar age 7months
What do you really want to be when you grow up: a working actor
Where would you like to retire to: America or Australia
One fear about getting older: Looking shitter than I do already

LAYER NINE: The Opposite Sex

Eye color: Blue
Hair color: Don't mind
Short or long hair: DH has had both and I loved both
Height: 6ft 4
Best first date location: somewhere peaceful where you can talk - not the movies

LAYER TEN: In The Numbers...

Number of jobs I've had in my life: Too many to count! I was a temp for 12 years
Number of people I could trust with my life: 3
Number of CDs that I own: Loads
Number of piercings: 3
Number of tattoos: 0
Number of times my name has appeared in the Newspaper? quite a few - at least 8 in theatre reviews and stuff.
Number of scars: Loads! Including a very impressive one on my head and a lovely caearean one
Number of things in my past that I regret: It's my ambition in life not to regret anything - to see life as a learning experience. Maybe the only thing was not making better friends with David Walliams (of Little Britain) when we were in the National Youth Theatre together, cos then maybe he would give me a job!

Wow. That was fun! Thanks to everyone who stole it from everyone else!

Dixie Peach and questions from Beege

Hey Dix!!! I just rediscovered an old friend who left me a comment - Dixie Peach and I used to post on an online community and then she left (I never did find out why) and I missed her but was a bad friend and didn't make the effort to stay in touch. But she found my blog! So hello gorgeous Dixie - a southern belle who lives in Germany with her lovely hubby. Give B a big kiss from his UK fan club.

Also from
Beege, I have 5 questions to answer...this is something that is doing the rounds of blogs - I asked Beege to ask me 5 questions and here they are - I'm answering them and by doing so, if anyone asks me I have to ask them 5 questions too...so here are my answers

Questions for
Sal
1. You are offered the acting role of a lifetime, one that will guarantee you fame and recognition of your peers. It requires you be away from home for three weeks. Do you take it? Yes. A few weeks ago I would have said no, but as Oscar gets older, I find it easier...it would still be torturous to be away from him and DH for 3 weeks but I think I'd regret it if I didn't.

2. What is a role that you dream of bringing to life, but just haven't had the opportunity to do so yet? I've always wanted to play Lady Macbeth. Never had the opportunity as no one will cast a fat chick as Lady M. But I want to play her as a very maternal, ambitious woman - I have lots of ideas...one day perhaps - I still got a few years before I have to play older parts...

3. What sort of girl do you dream of Oz marrying some day? I always said I wanted him to be gay! And marry a drag queen!!! Perhaps he could marry Linnea? No - cereal - I hope he finds someone, whatever gender/creed/colour who makes him laugh and is his friend.

4. What is your proudest moment? I suppose it's giving birth. I was proud that I got through 11 hours of labour, even though it ended with a caesarean. I was amazed by what my body did. I also feel it's still to come in a way.....I'll keep you posted.

5. Mac 'n Cheese: Kraft or ho-made? Either!!! I love all macaroni and cheese. My homemade one never tastes as good as the Kraft but my mother's and Poppy's are amazing....I could eat it every day.

Beege - you're an angel - great questions -very appropriate!